De la Paz stops Chinese; Fernando topples Bibat

STA. ROSA, Laguna — Jungolfer Bambee de la Paz stopped Ting Ting Cao’s giant-killing spree with a 2 & 1 victory yesterday while Asian Games veteran Dottie Ardina defeated Crystal Superal via the same score as they barged into the semifinal round of the 2006 Philippine Amateur Golf Championships at The Country Club here.

De la Paz took charge early and sustained her pace to bundle out Cao, who stunned top seed Mia Piccio, 1-up, at the start of the match play event Wednesday. The Miriam College student takes on former RP Open Ladies champion Carmelette Villaroman in the semis.

Villaroman needed four extra holes to outlast Asian Gamer Anya Tanpinco and post a 1-up victory.

Ardina, on the other hand, lost the first two holes but fought back to turn back Superal and arrange a semis showdown with Ainil Abu Bakar of Malaysia. who blasted Singaporean Melissa Loh, 4 & 2, in the other quarterfinal clash.

But it was Mark Fernando who scored the biggest upset win in the day as the Calatagan bet stunned Asian Games bronze medallist Michael Bibat in a thrilling final hole duel to advance to the semifinal round in the men’s division against Jay Bayron.

Playing in this event for the first time, Fernando battled Bibat on even terms through 17 holes then pounced on the former Singapore Open champion’s errant drive on the 18th to post the surprise victory.

"He had to play safe after hooking his drive. But he pitched poorly and was staring at a double bogey when he conceded the match," said Fernando, who parred the hole, in Filipino.

He earlier disposed of Taiwanese Cho Tsung-lin, 5 & 4, in the Last 16 of the morning match of the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

But the 25-year-old Fernando, who also plays for Canlubang and whose best finish was second to Ferdie Aunzo in the Samsung Amateur Tour at Splendido early this year, will have his hands full in the semis as he is set to face Bayron, the No. 2 seed.

Bayron outfoxed Marvin Dumandan, 2 & 1, in a duel of the top two players in the ranks today.

Top qualifier Tonton Asistio continued to live up to his billing as he beat Rufino Bayron, 2 & 1, to arrange a semis showdown with Korean Sim Young Ho, who bundled out Dante Becierra, 3 & 2. Asistio earlier edged Aunzo, 1-up, while Sim defeated Miko Alejandro, 3 & 1.

The finals, a 36-hole affair, will be played tomorrow.